The fact sheet referenced is a classic case of statistical manipulation using incomplete data. It presents a partial list of data, and then uses the incomplete data to make conclusions which are not really supported by that true but incomplete data.

The information that is missing, and extremely important, is whether aging is the cause of the higher accident rate, or not. The facts given are used to imply that this is a cause and effect relationship, however that is never proven to be the case. Using such limited data to establish cause and effect is no more valid than showing that a higher percentage of motorcycles now are blue, and concluding that blue causes accidents.

There may be other significant factors affecting the higher accident rate. The riding experience level, the type of riding, and the type of motorcycle all have an effect on accident rate, but these factors are not addressed by the author.

I'm not claiming that average age is not important, and there may be a cause and effect relationship here, but that conclusion is definitely not proven by the limited data presented by this fact sheet.

"There's an old saying by Mark Twain that goes like this. “Figures don't Lie, but Liars Figure.” Which basically means you can make statistical figures say anything."

Logged

Remember, much of what you see on-line is wrong or misguided, your task is to filter that out! '88 one owner:Bone stock...and proud of it!!

I always thought it was "Reasonable and Prudent". At least that's what Rich Reed's rally in Ennis MT used to be called. I was able to go to all three.

There is nothing quite as deflating as doing a high speed "all out" run, tucked down behind the windshield of your C10, throttle pinned all the way back to the stops... and then have Ron Ramlow on his ZX11 shoot past you with Carol on the back, as she turns around to snap a quick picture of you before they both disappear over the horizon.

8. Recent data show that of the more than 57,000 drivers involved in fatal crashesannually, more than 10,000 of those were over 55 years of age.

Check my math here but 1/3 (lets call it 33%) of the drivers are 55+. But only 17.5% of the drivers involved in fatal crashes are 55+. This particular statistic would imply 55+ drivers as better drivers than average. Like someone else pointed out correlation and causation are 2 different things.

As a former MSF Instructor (88-92) I must say, I am more than a little disappointed by this nonsense if it is true. But I doubt this is true, because I do not see any logos, banners, or letterhead on the "fact" sheet. One thing is for sure, if it is true, this hit piece on older riders says the MSF has become less about rider safety and more about political/social statements. Not to mention the "fact" sheet's own numbers disprove their conclusions.

For example: The sheet says "One of every three drivers in America is now over 55 years of age" (or 33%). And right on the heels of this they say "Recent data show (poor grammar-kid) that of more than 57,000 drivers involved in fatal crashes annually, more than 10,000 (approx 17.5%) of those were over 55 years of age." So 33% of the drivers had only 17.5% of the accidents!! Sounds like they were SAFER than the other 66% of the drivers that had proportionately more accidents than drivers above 55. I guess statistics are not part of the "new" math!

There is a good reason why older and more experienced drivers/riders get better insurance rates than younger and less experienced drivers/riders. Because insurance is about risk, and insurance companies are better with probability and statistics than the jokers that complied these "facts."

While I don't think I have the balance or reflexes I had 30 years ago, this 58 year old can still ride well controlled circles around the vast majority of the riders I have ridden with of any age group and those that know me admit it. This big boy has not put a single scratch on any bike I have controlled on the road in countless thousands of miles since I was licensed in 1977. Not to mention I am twice the size I was 15 years ago, so I am riding virtually two up all the time!